Rainfall totals for May ranged from 5 to 12 inches west of Interstate 65; and 2 to 4 inches east of Interstate 65. The northwest Alabama totals were more than 150% of normal in most areas (and above normal for the second consecutive month); while the totals east of I-65 were below normal, including Huntsville for the 19th consecutive month.
Aside from the heavy rain at the end of the month, there were scattered events throughout the course of the month, none of which really produced any particularly heavy rainfall, with the exception of the 2nd, when heavy rains over three inches fell in the extreme northwest corner of Alabama. Rainfall totals quickly lessened further east, however.
Drought conditions improved areawide, about 1 category on average. Northwest Alabama, by the end of the month, was no longer considered to be in drought. Conditions improved to only D2 /Severe Drought/ in the east, improving from D3 for the first time since last spring.